Bye-bye alcohol: trend toward non-alcoholic beverage alternatives continues
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As is well known, many people use the first months of the year to rethink their lifestyle habits. A critical look at their own alcohol consumption is often one of them. Dry January, for example, is followed by the traditional Lenten season, and more and more people are deciding to give up alcohol temporarily or even completely. Varied and aromatic alternatives to wine, beer and the like therefore continue to be absolutely in vogue. Fruit juices and nectars - whether enjoyed neat, as a sparkling spritzer or as the basis for non-alcoholic cocktails - can serve a wide range of tastes and offer great potential for non-alcoholic drinks.
Regardless of whether you only swear off alcohol for a certain period of time or deliberately give it up permanently for other reasons - aromatic alternatives are a welcome change. After all, doing without does not necessarily mean doing without enjoyment. Fruit juices and nectars are a tasty alternative to alcoholic beverages.
With their wide range of varieties and different textures, they can be used in many different ways. They can be wonderfully flavored, mixed into spritzers or non-alcoholic cocktails, and are an excellent alternative to the classic wine accompaniment.
Pure fruit juices as a non-alcoholic accompaniment to food
For many, a glass of wine is simply part of a good meal. For those who do without alcohol, there is an interesting selection from the juice aisle in addition to mineral water or soda pop. Single-variety apple juices (e.g., Boskoop, Elstar, Jonagold) or grape juices (e.g., Chardonnay, Dornfelder, or Merlot) can be offered to accompany a meal, just like a good wine. Due to their complex aromas and the interplay of acidity and sweetness, they harmonize with selected foods. Quince juice, for example, is an excellent accompaniment to cheese, while apricot nectar goes well with Asian dishes. For wine connoisseurs, too, this offers an authentic-tasting, non-alcoholic alternative to wine.
Fruit juice spritzer 2.0
How about a new interpretation of the classic fruit juice spritzer? Fruit juices can be mixed not only with mineral water, but also with other carbonated beverages such as tonic water or ginger beer to create a refreshing spritzer.
Spiciness or bitters add a new flavor dimension to the juice, such as apple juice with a shot of tonic in place of mineral water.
Fruit juices and nectars can also be excellently flavored with herbs, spices or oils. This gives the fruit juice spritzer completely new flavor nuances.
Shake it till you make it
Non-alcoholic cocktail variations can also benefit from the versatile combination possibilities of fruit juice or nectar. There's plenty of scope for experimentation here, even with somewhat more unusual varieties such as apricot nectar, rhubarb nectar or pear juice. They not only bring new sophistication, freshness and lightness, but also plenty of color into the glass.
And quite honestly: in terms of taste, non-alcoholic cocktails are in no way inferior to their alcoholic counterparts! So nothing stands in the way of the perfect feel-good moment after work.
